Jessica Tyler

Jessica Tyler is a Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine, where she also holds affiliations with the Graduate School of Medical Sciences. She leads the Laboratory of Epigenetics and Genomic Integrity, conducting cutting-edge research on chromatin dynamics, DNA repair, and aging using budding yeast and human cell models.

• PhD, Molecular Virology, University of Glasgow (1994)
• Bachelor’s Degree, Biochemistry, University of Sheffield (1990)
• Postdoctoral Training, UCSD under Jim Kadonaga
• Former Faculty: University of Colorado School of Medicine, MD Anderson Cancer Center

Dr. Tyler’s research focuses on epigenetics, genomic integrity, and longevity, particularly how chromatin structure regulates DNA repair, gene expression, and aging. She investigates conserved mechanisms using yeast genetics, biochemistry, and genome-wide analyses. Her lab discovered that histone depletion occurs during aging and that overexpression of histones extends lifespan. They also pioneered studies on the tardigrade Dsup protein, showing it protects chromatin and enhances longevity in yeast.

The recent publications reflect a strong focus on DNA double-strand break repair, chromatin assembly, histone chaperones (e.g., CAF-1, ASF1), and aging. Work spans from mechanistic biochemistry to systems-level genomics, often linking chromatin dynamics to disease processes like cancer and neurodegeneration. Technologies include CRISPR, microfluidics, proximity ligation, and high-resolution sequencing.

• Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 2017
• National Academy of Sciences Kavli Fellow, 2011
• University of Glasgow Tenovus Medal, 2010
• AACR Woman in Cancer Research Charlotte Friend Memorial Award, 2009
• Dean’s Mentor of the Year, 2009
• Faculty Educator of the Month, 2015

Dr. Tyler has mentored numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, many of whom now hold faculty or industry positions. She is Principal Investigator on multiple NIH-funded grants exploring chromatin’s role in DNA repair and aging. Her lab actively welcomes rotation and graduate students. The Tyler Lab is located at Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY.